Housing provider hit with six-figure fine over Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome cases
A social housing provider has been fined £140,000 after two of its employees were diagnosed with Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) following repeated exposure to vibrating equipment.
Leicester-based Stonewater, which employed the workers as estate assistants in Coventry, failed to properly manage the risks associated with prolonged use of equipment like lawn mowers, strimmers, leaf blowers, and hedge cutters.
Both workers used the equipment mentioned as part of their ground maintenance duties, with one of the men estimating that he used this equipment for 90% of his working day.
Prolonged exposure to such vibration led to Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), a serious condition that affects the nerves, blood supply, joints, and muscles of the hands and arms, causing painful and disabling disorders, with both men experiencing significant health problems.
Christopher Smith, aged 60 from Coventry, was one of the workers affected.
He said: “I have lost my fine motor skills and experience significant difficulty in picking up small objects, using a knife and fork, or even doing up buttons. The pain keeps me up at night. I am unable to pick up my younger grandchildren to hold them. It is not only not having the ability to do this, but I am terrified I will drop them, and I don’t trust myself.”
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that Stonewater had failed to conduct a proper risk assessment regarding vibration exposure.
The company also neglected to monitor vibration levels regularly, provide training on the risks, or implement health surveillance systems for its employees.
Stonewater pleaded guilty to breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.
In addition to the £140,000 fine, the company was ordered to pay £3,742 in costs at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court on 14 April 2025.
Charlie Rowe, HSE’s lead inspector said: “This is a tragic case and the fine imposed on Stonewater Limited underlines that the courts, and HSE, take a failure to follow health and safety regulations extremely seriously. HAVS is a serious and disabling health condition, and we will not hesitate to take action against employers that fall below the required standard.”
